Isn't it really about quality of recording?

It's very subjective for me.  Whatever makes an emotional connection.  Sometimes it a pure tone, sometimes it a subtle detail that I've never noticed and sometimes it's a recalled memory from simpler times.  Kind of like drinking good wine.  Once you get used to something  good, it's hard to go back.

I've been looking down the rabbit hole recently and I Imagine it's like gambling for some.  Not every financial gamble pays off but when you get the occasional emotional reward, it's enough to keep you going back.

A dedicated 20A line and Furutech GTX-D outlet are scheduled for this week.  Just one more fix and i'm done:).

I'm finding that DSP tends to filter out some of the openness Of recordings. 
 

Looking forward to customized analog cables versus whatever it is that audio quest or even Cardas has created in their laboratories

it's simply a larger guage Quality cable and some hopefully good RCA connectors. I'll offer up details after I try them out. I think this is a potentially good way to open up a system. 

Great system, lousy recording?  You can't polish a turd.  Don't care how hard you try.  

@erik_squires you know, your comment succinctly explains alot of those bang-head-on-table discussions we've all had with colleagues that we seem to just not "get".  It also explains much about all of the types of contributors here and their viewpoints.  Not any wrong but something to keep in mind.  We all actually don't hear things the same (way).

A great recording of lame music is unlistenable. Great music is great even if it's an older mono mix or something done to a standard that didn't exist yet.  A great sounding system with interesting, well recorded music is ideal.  Also, a great system will reveal mediocre recording quality and that's as it should be, not so much making crap sound good....hi fidelity is revealing.